Audio-Technica ATH-M50x vs Sony MDR-7506

What published reviews say about each, where the two differ, and who each one suits.

Summed up from 15 published reviews

Audio-Technica

ATH-M50x

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is a versatile, well-made wired headphone offering strong value, but bass tuning, isolation, and long-session comfort receive mixed reactions.

Best for: Value-focused listeners wanting lively wired headphones for music, gaming, and casual use.
Skip it if: You need flat mixing sound, wireless connectivity, or exceptional noise isolation.

PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon

What reviewers say about the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

Sony

MDR-7506

The Sony MDR-7506 is a detailed studio workhorse for monitoring and mixing, with fixed-cable and comfort trade-offs.

Best for: Studio recording, tracking, and mixing where detail and neutral monitoring matter.
Skip it if: You want wireless convenience, punchy bass, or a spacious soundstage.

PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon

What reviewers say about the Sony MDR-7506

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Specs side by side

Spec	Audio-Technica ATH-M50x	Sony MDR-7506
Fit	Over-ear	Over-ear
Connection	Wired	Wired
Noise cancelling	No	No
Best for	Studio, Music	Studio, Music
Microphone	No mic	No mic
Ear cups	Closed-back	Closed-back

Rows where the two differ come first.

What reviewers like, and what they don't

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

Foldable design with swiveling cups and three detachable cables. 1 2 5
Clear, detailed sound with good instrument separation. 3 5 6 7
Comfortable, secure fit suits many long listening sessions. 2 3 5 6
Strong value and broad versatility for music, gaming, and studio use. 3 4 5 6
Reviewers disagree on bass: some praise accuracy, others call it boosted. 1 2 3 4
Heat and pressure can cause discomfort during extended listening. 1 4 7
Some report mediocre isolation in loud environments. 1 3 4
Awkward proprietary connectors and no built-in microphone complicate some setups. 1 2 4 6

Sony MDR-7506

Detailed, revealing sound supports recording, tracking, mixing, and critical monitoring. 1 2 4 5
Generally neutral midrange supports production work and accurate mixing. 1 3 4 6
Lightweight, foldable design makes studio monitoring relatively portable. 1 2 5 6
Closed-back design reduces leakage and helps limit ambient noise. 1 4 6 7
Durable, repairable build supports long-term studio use. 1 4 6 7
Fixed, heavy coiled cable complicates swaps, travel, and cable replacement. 1 2 3 8
Bass impact and sub-bass extension can feel limited. 1 2 3 5
Prominent treble can feel sibilant or fatiguing for some listeners. 2 5 6 8
Some users report heat, pressure, or fatigue during long sessions. 1 3 6

Ranked in our guides

Guide	ATH-M50x	MDR-7506
Best wired headphones and earbuds	#4	#5
Best studio headphones	#1	#6

Sources

We don't test products ourselves. This page sums up 15 published reviews, read on October 21, 2026; each point above links to the reviews that make it.